Happy New Year’s Eve! Ours will be very quiet as my husband has been sick since before Christmas. To the extent that there is a pile of presents still under the tree because we haven’t seen any close family.
We start our series on the music and theology of Leonard Cohen this week: There’s a Crack, a Crack in Everything, That’s How the Light Gets In. The title is taken from one of his most famous songs: Anthem, you can listen to it below. The biblical texts this week are Genesis 1: 1-5 & John 1: 1-5, and perhaps the story of the Magi following the star, since it’s the week that we celebrate Epiphany. There will be star words given out again this year!
Christmas Eve was lovely, we had about 30 people gather for the 4 pm service and about 100 at the 7 pm service. Thanks to Cynthia Phillips for taking the one of Dean and the tree we decorated during the 4 pm service and I love this one I took as we sang Silent Night by candlelight at the 7 pm service.
Pastoral Care Training
Caring for one another is part of our shared life of faith. Pastoral care is not just the work of the minister. It belongs to all of us, in listening, checking in, and showing up for one another. I’m offering Pastoral Care Training for anyone who feels called to walk alongside others during times of illness, grief, transition, or loneliness. You do not need special skills or experience, just a willingness to listen, respect boundaries, and care well. This training is for people who already offer care quietly in everyday ways, and for those who are wondering if this might be one way they are being invited to serve. Together, we will talk about what pastoral care is and what it is not, how to offer support safely and respectfully, and how we care for others without carrying everything alone. Thursday mornings 10-11:30: January 8, 15, 22, 29. You can come with no obligation to the first session, but if you decide to continue, you must attend the remaining ones.
Here are a couple of things that I read this week that are worth mentioning:
Entering the New Year Without a Checklist – Rev. Cameron Trimble always has some wisdom to share.
Tweaking the Funeral Plans – Rev. Jan Edmiston writes about her medical scare. For the next Wellness Wednesday for Seniors, I will be leading you through a process/checklist on planning your own funeral/memorial service, whether that’s in a church, funeral home or other location.
St. James United Church Dartmouth 